We've cracked the code to a quick getaway and no, you don't need to leave the country.

Thanks to our brand partner, Royal Caribbean

In April 2024, my girlfriends and I started a new tradition. We promised to set aside our busy lives of work, children and all-encompassing life responsibilities once a year to reconnect with what we call our "former selves".

Our Facebook brainstorming session saw wine tours, road trips and theatre shows thrown into the mix, but my two cents offered a neatly packaged plan that required nothing more than a packed suitcase.

I'll admit, it was pure selfishness that drove me to recommend a short cruise for our first girls' trip. I've been cruising since I was eight years old and I know how easy it is to simply book, pack and enjoy — with everything you want and need delivered with a friendly smile.

From multi-generational holidays with extended family and friends, to couples' getaways and now girls' trips, I've just about done it all when it comes to short, two-to-four-night cruise holidays — and I can confidently say they tick every single box, especially with Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean's Short Escapes, sailing from October 2025 to April 2026, have a real knack for bringing together relaxation, entertainment, incredible onboard activities and stress-free planning. Their goal is to ensure you feel like you're taking a proper holiday, even if it's just for a few nights (without making a dent in your annual leave).

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There's no moving between accommodation, no cooking meals and choosing how much or how little to plan for your days at sea — it's all done for you and it's an absolute blast. The hardest decision you'll make is what to try first!

Say hello to delicious food.

Cooking is the bane of my existence. No sooner have I switched off my computer for the day and raced out to yet another sports training session with my daughter, than I'm in the kitchen organising a meal for my family.

During my girls' trip from Brisbane, I didn't lift a finger from the minute I stepped aboard. From Japanese to seafood to Italian, the cuisine options were endless and bountiful. Just the act of sitting in a soft-padded chair and having a delicate linen napkin draped over my lap was enough to make me feel seen.

Royal Caribbean's ships Anthem of the Seas (sailing from Sydney) and Voyager of the Seas (sailing from Brisbane), offer up to 16 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the delicious specialty restaurants like Chop's Grille and Izumi Japanese Cuisine. And the best bit? No dishes to clean or mouths to wipe afterwards (except your own, of course!).

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Say bye-bye to boring entertainment.

I'm a big lover of live gigs and musicals. I dread to think how much I've spent on live performances over the years, especially when the dates and locations have been inconvenient.

Featuring top-tier performers from all over the world, a Royal Caribbean holiday gives you the chance to see world-class productions like Voyager of the Seas' ice-skating show Ice Odyssey, and Anthem of the Seas' Olivier Award-winning musical We Will Rock You.

And the comedians — oh, the comedians! Being a self-confessed (and certified) stand-up comedian, I can be hard to please, but boy did they hit me right in the belly. And don't even get me started on the guest-led "talent" show.

Say hello to unique experiences.

One of my favourite things to do is learn something new; to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. Holidays onboard offer the perfect opportunity to get crafty, get silly, get laughing — and get just about anything you want to — because there are so many different things to choose from.

Want to know how to fold towel animals like a pro? You've got it.

Want to push your music trivia knowledge? Get your team together.

Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Sign up for a session on Royal Caribbean's exclusive FlowRider Surf Simulator or RipCord by iFLY skydiving experience. Or maybe you want to do nothing at all but relax by the pool at the adults-only solarium or have a hot stone massage at Vitality Spa. You. Are. Covered.

Say bye-bye to devices (or not).

A short escape offers the perfect chance to disconnect. Personally, I always choose to go device-free when I cruise so I can soak up my company, the experiences and my surroundings.

Some of my friends, however, like to stay connected — and the beautiful thing is, they can, thanks to onboard wi-fi that guests can opt in to.

Say hello to Australian beauty.

We haven't stopped exploring everything our beautiful country has to offer — and short cruise holidays are the perfect way to see more by sea.

Whether you want the white sandy beaches of Airlie Beach, the coastal charm of the South Coast or just want to do a loop to and from Sydney or Brisbane, there is something special to sea.

On our family trip, my daughter and I snorkelled the shipwrecks, and on our annual girls' getaway, my girlfriends and I hugged as we watched the sun set together for the first time in years.

There really is so much to see in our beautiful country, and I'm a strong believer that everything looks better through the eyes of a salty sailor.

Say bye-bye to real life (for now).

Albeit only for a short time, no matter who you're with or what you like to do, a cruise holiday with Royal Caribbean will deliver convenience, value, variety and memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. You truly don't need to leave the country to have the (quick) time of your life.

Looking to book a quick getaway? Find out more about Royal Caribbean's Short Escapes online.

Feature Image: Instagram/@whitsundaysqld/@tasha.amoroso.

From amped-up weekend celebrations to adventure-packed South Pacific getaways with the whole family, discover the ultimate memory-maxing holidays with Royal Caribbean. Whether it's thrills or chills you seek, you'll find it all on Royal Caribbean's award-winning ships sailing from Brisbane and Sydney all summer long. It's Big Time, Best Time, All the time with Royal Caribbean.